How do we know that the Universe is expanding faster and faster ? What are the fundamental constituents of the Universe ? Why are dark matter and dark energy relevant to the dynamics of the Universe? What is the information imprinted on the cosmic microwave background ? What is the origin of the large scale structure of the Universe?
Abstract: Evidence for an accelerated expansion of the universe has been provided ten years ago by the Hubble diagram of distant type Ia supernovae. This represents one of the major modern revolutions for fundamental physics and cosmology. It is yet unclear whether the explanation of the fact that gravity becomes repulsive on large scales should be found within general relativity or within a new theory of gravitation. Existing evidences for this acceleration all come from astrophysical observations. In this seminar I will critically examine the present situation of the astrophysical observations and the possible limitation in their interpretation. The main various observational probes will be presented and discussed. I will show that, even when scrutinized with skeptical eyes, the evidence for an accelerating universe is rather robust. Investigation of its very origin appears as the most fascinating challenge of modern physics.
Abstract: The knowledge of the Universe is essentially based on the theory of general relativity (GR). If from one hand, solar system data is in excellent agreement to the theory, available cosmological evidence on the other, is consistent with GR provided one assumes the existence of dark energy and dark matter.
Abstract: One of the most interesting and current phenomenological extensions of General Relativity is the so-called f(R) class of theories; a natural generalization of this includes an explicit non-minimal coupling between matter and curvature.
Gr@v is a team of researchers, based at the Mathematics and Physics Department of Aveiro University, Portugal, working on strong gravity and high energy physics. The group was established in 2010. In January 2015 Gr@v integrated the FCT funded CIDMA research unit (UIDB/04106/2020 and UIDP/04106/2020), as the Gravitational Geometry and Dynamics research group. The group scientific coordinator is C. Herdeiro.
Our group coordinated the "Numerical Relativity and High Energy Physics" IRSES network (2012-2015). Here is a list of the global network meetings organized:
